TV and Radio

Associated Press

This 1999 photo, supplied by HBO, shows a younger-looking James Gandolfini, who played mob boss Tony Soprano, in an episode from the first season of the HBO cable television mob series, "The Sopranos."

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Wow, if he was 51 now, and the sopranos started in 1999, that means he started playing Tony Soprano at around 38 years old. Very surprising, i thought he was way older than that. What a great actor. He will definately be missed.

I was a bit taken back as well {Lucas} thoughI declined to say anything. I this point suchtrite comments are for the small minded.

Additionally, on more then one occasionMr. Gandolfini has been referred to as a 'handsome man' both in the real world, and the one in which Tony exists. I'll choice to remember those words, and less of what ever {rob} seems to perceive.

Each night at 7:00, with few exceptions, one will find me face firstwatching the *SOPRANOS* courtesy of HBO reruns. The show is now cyclingthrough the second time around, and we do thank HBO for bringing it backafter a few years hiatus. You don't spend this much time with somethingand not have it become part of you. Having Italian blood swirling aroundin me anyway it was an easy hook, and David Chase made the ride one that will never be forgotten.

Of course at the center of this epic show with its stellar cast, crew,and production (oh the writing) -IS- (not was) Anthony James Soprano.In reality-James Gandolfini. He 'owned it'. The love being shown presently by those around him says it all. "Dedicated to his craft, andone of the hardest working men I've had the pleasure to work with...."seems to sum up the nature, and core of what defined this man.Those fortunate to have worked, and even better, "played" with Jameshave one up on the rest of us.

I'm six decades on this planet and I find myself weeping like a child; as though the man was over last night for cocktails.In a way I guess he was. At 7:00 each night. And, we're both drinking.He, on that side of the screen, and me, well...I'm over here.

Too bad, I enjoyed his acting. This was entirely preventable. In a case like this, if it was in fact a massive heart attack, he was probably hiding his angina for a long time and not exerting himself enough to trigger it to the point of excruciating pain, and thus, medical help. Getting into middle age? Work out a few times a week, if not for yourself, the ones who love you.